Notable alumni
Amani Abou-Zeid
Amani is the Commissioner for Infrastructure and Energy for the African Union. She has previously worked at USAID, UNDP and as the OIC Director of the African Natural Resources Center at the African Development Bank. She studied for a PhD at the Global Development Institute and in 2017 was given the Outstanding Alumni Award by The University of Manchester.
Andriniaina Bretino Raharinomena
Andriniaina is the Ambassador of Madagascar to the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. He was previously a Special Advisor to the Minister of Finance for International and Economic Affairs. He studied for a PhD at the GDI writing a thesis entitled ‘understanding the historical and political determinants of recurring political crises in Madagascar.
Juan Miguel Villa
Juan is president of Colpensiones, Colombia’s public pension and social security administrator. He has also provided consultancy on a number of international poverty and economics projects, for organisations including the United Nations Development Programme, United Nations University and UNICEF. He completed a PhD in Development Policy and Management at GDI in 2015.
Dr Beth Chitekwe-Biti
Dr Beth Chitekwe-Biti is the Director of the secretariat of Slum Dwellers International (SDI) a global network of slum dwellers, driving a collective, bottom-up change agenda for inclusive and resilient cities in the global South. SDI has been active 33 countries and currently has 18 affiliates in Africa, South Asia and Latin America. Beth founded Dialogue on Shelter a Zimbabwe NGO in 1999 which works in alliance with the social movement the Zimbabwe Homeless People’s Federation both of who are affiliates of SDI. Beth holds a PhD in Development Policy and Management from GDI.
Chrissie Wellington
Chrissie is Head of Health and Wellbeing for Parkrun. She is also a former professional triathlete and four-time Ironman triathlon world champion. She previously worked for the DEFRA as an adviser on international development and, for Rural Reconstruction Nepal. She studied for an MSc in Development Studies at GDI.
Hamza Arsbi
Hamza Arsbi is an Obama Foundation Scholar at Columbia University. He is the founder, director and project manager of the Mind Lab, a youth hub that focuses on advancing education through scientific experiential learning. Over the past six years, the Mind Lab has developed 10 curricula and reached over 8,000 students in seven cities around Jordan. He studied for an MSc in International Development and received the Outstanding Contribution to Social Enterprise award at the University's Making A Difference Awards.
Rodney Taylor
Rodney Taylor is Secretary-General of the Caribbean Telecommunications Union. He was previously the Chief Digital Technology Officer at the Barbados Ministry of Innovation, Science and Smart Technology. He has also acted as the Ministry’s Permanent Secretary and managed the Information Systems Unit in Barbados’ Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade and its overseas missions. He studied for an MSc in Management and Information Systems at GDI.